1966 VW Beetle 1200A Restoration

inderpalgill · 22nd September 2011, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

My initial plan was to seperate the chassis and the body, but the main structural rigidity near the door is very very weak, and on one side, its almost not there.

The metal 16 guage is procured and is being cut.

go for it-separate the body and chasis, make an angle iron cut and screw it between two ends of pillars(where the door lies) to hold the body in place, that will result in quick and better restoration-

BusyBee · 26th September 2011, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by inderpalgill

go for it-separate the body and chasis, make an angle iron cut and screw it between two ends of pillars(where the door lies) to hold the body in place, that will result in quick and better restoration-

Just curious. I have normally seen tubular sections used for the sake of rigidity. Is the angle iron section enough to maintain the structural rigidity or will it flex slightly?

inderpalgill · 27th September 2011, 14:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by BusyBee

Just curious. I have normally seen tubular sections used for the sake of rigidity. Is the angle iron section enough to maintain the structural rigidity or will it flex slightly?

that will not remain with the car after restoration or bidy work done, any rigid piece of metal in any form/shape can serve, its just to hold the rusted body ,or give it a support,soon after the pillars and the base is done the support can be unbolted-its a common method esp in coastal area vw's

BusyBee · 27th September 2011, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by inderpalgill

that will not remain with the car after restoration or bidy work done, any rigid piece of metal in any form/shape can serve, its just to hold the rusted body ,or give it a support,soon after the pillars and the base is done the support can be unbolted-its a common method esp in coastal area vw's

Missed my question which was if an angle iron piece is rigid enough as a temporary support as it flexes more than pipes which are more commonly used in these parts. Seems like that is enough

. Thanks.

PAVAN KADAM · 26th December 2011, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by BusyBee

Missed my question which was if an angle iron piece is rigid enough as a temporary support as it flexes more than pipes which are more commonly used in these parts. Seems like that is enough

. Thanks.

A normal irong piece or a square angle is not rigid enough to undertake such a work, you need a specific non-flex tool to keep things the way they are.

Here,. i have used a Body jack to keep the body from not to flex and re-did the floor work, its come out well and as expected

PAVAN KADAM · 26th December 2011, 21:56

Over the period of the next 2 weeks in November 2011, we were able to complete the body work and start preparing the body shell for painting.

The main challenge was to prepare this car in such a way that it will be able to withstand the Chennai weather, Its too much of an emotional approach than a Technical one to say. However technical i may get, but cant fight against the nature forces, This is a big challenge for me, and i think i will be able to overcome it.

I am actually taking an entirely different approach in the paint preparation. Allowing one procedure to dry for a minimum of 1 week /10 days, So each and every procedure done over the body shell, the shell gets to dry up without allowing any moisture to stay back on it.

And at every layer there is an anti-rust protective zinc oxide coating, and even the surfacer comes with the Anti-rust property,. KAPCI paints has some amazing products to use at this juncture, though i will eventually finish it with DUPONT.

PAVAN KADAM · 28th December 2011, 09:58

The engine was dis-mounted and off it went to the mechanic for a full fledged overhaul. Would like to thank Bullet_Boy (Pankaj) for helping me with the packing kit for the engine re-build.

I had the bearings and other stuff lying with me, My mechanic too 4 days exactly to overhaul the engine. Good that the engine is ready to go.

rajchetan · 28th December 2011, 10:15

How about Detailing this engine while you are already at it..

It will add character to the restoration. A few extra bugs (rupee) will not damage the pockets much, but will add value to the Car.

PAVAN KADAM · 28th December 2011, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajchetan

How about Detailing this engine while you are already at it..

It will add character to the restoration. A few extra bugs (rupee) will not damage the pockets much, but will add value to the Car.

Yes anna, That will surely be Done

Not too much of BLING, but As original and Precise as Possible..

samsag12 · 28th December 2011, 17:07

Will not repeat my comments here but i really appreciate your efforts to bring a classic back to life. Hope to see more and more action on T-BHP from now on.
PS:Welcome back on T-BHP Pavan ji.

PAVAN KADAM · 28th December 2011, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by samsag12

Will not repeat my comments here but i really appreciate your efforts to bring a classic back to life. Hope to see more and more action on T-BHP from now on.
PS:Welcome back on T-BHP Pavan ji.

Cant stop thanking most of the guys here waiting for my return, Thank you guys, and i will not be disappointing anyone for sure.

PAVAN KADAM · 29th December 2011, 10:16

Slowly but steadily the Beetle was taking shape.

And it was getting better by the day.

What more can i ask.

Originally this car was White , will eventually get its original shade code , but the problem was the RED paint inside, its really a BIG pain to get rid of them, A simple idea by my painter, We sprayed BLACK to mask the RED (BLACK is the Universal Acceptor and Donor Color) so it would become easy for us to spray White over Black and get the desired effect.

PAVAN KADAM · 30th December 2011, 19:40

The body work continued and it was a welcome sight to see that this car has exceptional Body lines.

Every nook and corner is Perfect and Clean

Its a joy to work on such cars.

PAVAN KADAM · 1st January 2012, 17:25

Finally today the body panels went together.

The car is almost in Full Piece today.

We will probably spray Surfacer today and start on the base coat by tuesday.

PAVAN KADAM · 2nd January 2012, 20:58

One final quote of Dupont 888 surfacer sprayed all over today, and the car is already looking Awesome

Dupont 888 surfacer is ONE OF THE BEST surfacer from Dupont, basic advantages

1) Real thick surfacer
2) Masks off all the scraping or blade marks
3) Fantastic adhering/bonding quality
4) Superb coverage
5) Low emission

But really expensive, a litre can put you back by 2.2k, we have used 2.5 litres so far.

26th December 2011, 21:56	#51
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,549 Times	re: 1966 VW Beetle 1200A Restoration Over the period of the next 2 weeks in November 2011, we were able to complete the body work and start preparing the body shell for painting. The main challenge was to prepare this car in such a way that it will be able to withstand the Chennai weather, Its too much of an emotional approach than a Technical one to say. However technical i may get, but cant fight against the nature forces, This is a big challenge for me, and i think i will be able to overcome it. I am actually taking an entirely different approach in the paint preparation. Allowing one procedure to dry for a minimum of 1 week /10 days, So each and every procedure done over the body shell, the shell gets to dry up without allowing any moisture to stay back on it. And at every layer there is an anti-rust protective zinc oxide coating, and even the surfacer comes with the Anti-rust property,. KAPCI paints has some amazing products to use at this juncture, though i will eventually finish it with DUPONT. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

28th December 2011, 09:58	#52
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,549 Times	re: 1966 VW Beetle 1200A Restoration The engine was dis-mounted and off it went to the mechanic for a full fledged overhaul. Would like to thank Bullet_Boy (Pankaj) for helping me with the packing kit for the engine re-build. I had the bearings and other stuff lying with me, My mechanic too 4 days exactly to overhaul the engine. Good that the engine is ready to go. Attached Thumbnails Attached Images
	() Thanks

28th December 2011, 10:15	#53
rajchetan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Thailand / Vietnam / HK / Bangalore Posts: 365 Thanked: 146 Times	re: 1966 VW Beetle 1200A Restoration How about Detailing this engine while you are already at it.. It will add character to the restoration. A few extra bugs (rupee) will not damage the pockets much, but will add value to the Car.
	(1) Thanks

28th December 2011, 17:07	#55
samsag12 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: City of Nawaabs Posts: 1,624 Thanked: 242 Times View My Garage	re: 1966 VW Beetle 1200A Restoration Will not repeat my comments here but i really appreciate your efforts to bring a classic back to life. Hope to see more and more action on T-BHP from now on. PS:Welcome back on T-BHP Pavan ji.
	(1) Thanks

29th December 2011, 10:16	#57
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,549 Times	re: 1966 VW Beetle 1200A Restoration Slowly but steadily the Beetle was taking shape. And it was getting better by the day. What more can i ask. Originally this car was White , will eventually get its original shade code , but the problem was the RED paint inside, its really a BIG pain to get rid of them, A simple idea by my painter, We sprayed BLACK to mask the RED (BLACK is the Universal Acceptor and Donor Color) so it would become easy for us to spray White over Black and get the desired effect. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

30th December 2011, 19:40	#58
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,549 Times	re: 1966 VW Beetle 1200A Restoration The body work continued and it was a welcome sight to see that this car has exceptional Body lines. Every nook and corner is Perfect and Clean Its a joy to work on such cars. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

1st January 2012, 17:25	#59
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,549 Times	re: 1966 VW Beetle 1200A Restoration Finally today the body panels went together. The car is almost in Full Piece today. We will probably spray Surfacer today and start on the base coat by tuesday. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

2nd January 2012, 20:58	#60
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,549 Times	re: 1966 VW Beetle 1200A Restoration One final quote of Dupont 888 surfacer sprayed all over today, and the car is already looking Awesome Dupont 888 surfacer is ONE OF THE BEST surfacer from Dupont, basic advantages 1) Real thick surfacer 2) Masks off all the scraping or blade marks 3) Fantastic adhering/bonding quality 4) Superb coverage 5) Low emission But really expensive, a litre can put you back by 2.2k, we have used 2.5 litres so far. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks